The Credit Union has launched an unprecedented, nationwide manhunt for Dan Byrne, who they say deposited his pocket money with them when he was a young lad, but hasn’t been seen since.

According to Pat Higgins, head of the Credit Union’s Department of Credit ReUnions, Mr Byrne deposited a sum of money at the time, but has never been back to claim it.

“We’re very concerned, of course,” said Higgins. “A wee sum like that probably means he’d spent the summer mowing lawns and started building quite a nest-egg.”

Mr Byrne, who would now be in his late 20s, may have found himself lured away by one of the corporate banks, which Higgins said he fully understands. “The big boys are full of promises, we understand that, but at the end of the day what could be better than keeping your money with a member-owned, profit-sharing financial cooperative that offers a competitive range of car, home improvement and personal loans?”

“If you’re feeling guilty or concerned about your absence, don’t. We don’t need to know where you’ve been – we just want you back.”

He continued, “You joined us as a boy in a Pokemon t-shirt and muddy jeans, you’re a man now and possibly looking for a loan to buy a car or to do up your house.

“Pop in to see us, Dan. We can sort you out.”

Mr Byrne is just one of hundreds of people across Northern Ireland with Credit Union accounts that they’ve never made use of. Higgins assures these people that he’ll be coming for them next.

Pat Higgins awaits...

“We’re starting with Dan, since he skipped in here with such a twinkle in his eye, and I knew right then that he had an unwavering desire for financial empowerment through community-based saving and borrowing at fair and reasonable rates of interest.

“Once he’s back in the fold, we’ll be moving on to the next on our list.